Aftertreatment Protocols for Catalyst Characterization and Performance Evaluation: Low-Temperature Oxidation, Storage, Three-Way, and NH₃-SCR Catalyst Test Protocols

A set of standardized and realistic aftertreatment catalyst test protocols have been developed by the Advanced Combustion and Emission Control Technical Team in support of the U.S. DRIVE Partnership. The protocols are intended to accelerate the pace of aftertreatment catalyst innovation by enabling the accurate evaluation and comparison of aftertreatment catalyst performance data from various testing and research facilities to maximize the impact of discovery-phase research occurring across the nation. The protocols address a need identified by the Partnership’s industry partners for consistent and accurate metrics for aftertreatment catalyst evaluation and comparison. The protocols consist of a set of standardized requirements and test procedures that sufficiently capture the performance capability of a catalyst technology in a manner that is adaptable in various laboratories. The protocols provide a detailed description of the necessary reactor system, the steps for achieving a desired aged state of the catalyst, all necessary sample pretreatments to be performed prior to testing, and realistic test conditions for evaluating performance. This article details four low-temperature catalyst test protocols applicable to (1) oxidation catalysts, (2) passive storage (and release) catalysts, (3) three-way catalysts, and (4) NH₃-SCR catalysts. The catalyst test protocol descriptions are presented in five (5) sections: protocol general guidelines and the four individual catalyst test protocol descriptions. The general guidelines plus the individual protocol description forms the complete low-temperature catalyst test protocol for the application.